Garage Door Spring Injuries: What Homeowners Should Know
Your garage door springs might not look like much, but they carry a lot of weight, literally. They’re under so much pressure that if one breaks or slips, it can cause serious injuries in seconds. That’s why it’s important to know the risks, spot the warning signs early, and call in a garage door pro, like Aaron Overhead Doors, when something seems off because safety concerns should be your #1 priority!
What Do Garage Door Springs Actually Do?
Most garage doors rely on one of two spring systems:
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Torsion Springs that sit just above the door and twist tightly to lift and balance the weight.
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Extension Springs that run along the tracks and stretch back and forth every time you open or close the door.
Both are designed to manage hundreds of pounds of tension. Without them, your garage door would be nearly impossible to lift by hand.
Why People Get Hurt Around Garage Door Springs
A lot of injuries happen when homeowners try to tackle spring repairs themselves.
Here are a few of the most common scenarios:
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Sudden Breaks – Springs can snap without warning, whipping back and sending sharp metal pieces flying.
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DIY Mistakes – Trying to adjust or wind a spring without the right tools can cause it to unwind violently.
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Falling Doors – A broken spring can’t hold the weight of the door, which means it can come crashing down.
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Pinched Fingers and Cuts – Even small adjustments can lead to hands or fingers getting caught in the coils.
Why DIY Broken Spring Repairs Are So Dangerous
It’s easy to think a spring replacement is a quick fix, but the truth is it’s one of the most dangerous garage door jobs.
A torsion spring, for example, holds enough torque to cause broken bones, deep cuts, or worse. If the door itself drops, the impact can cause severe injuries or major damage.
Garage door experts use special tools and training to safely release and reset that tension. That’s why calling in an expert isn’t just safer. It usually saves money in the long run too.
Early Warning Signs Your Springs Are Wearing Out
Springs rarely fail overnight. They usually give hints first.
Keep an eye out for:
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Loud Noises like a bang, squeak, or grinding sound when the door moves.
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Uneven Door where one side hangs lower than the other.
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Slow Movement if the door opens sluggishly or gets stuck halfway.
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Visible Gaps when you see a clear separation between coils is a bad sign.
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When the Door Doesn’t Hold Open, the springs are likely failing.
How to Prevent Spring Accidents
The good news is, a little maintenance goes a long way toward avoiding emergencies.
Here are some smart steps:
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Get Regular Inspections and have a technician check your springs once a year.
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Keep Them Lubricated because a little bit of garage door spray keeps the metal moving smoothly.
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Replace Both Springs Together because if one goes, the other isn’t far behind.
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Skip DIY Adjustments and don’t try and tighten or loosen springs on your own.
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Adding Safety Cables can keep extension springs from flying off if they snap.
Why Calling a Pro Beats Doing It Yourself
It’s tempting to save a few bucks with a DIY approach, but the risks almost always outweigh the savings.
Professional repairs give you:
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Properly matched springs for your specific door.
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Installation done with the right tools and safety checks.
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Peace of mind knowing your door will open and close smoothly.
In contrast, DIY attempts can end in ER visits, more damage to the door, or springs that wear out much faster than they should.
What To Do If a Spring Breaks
If a spring suddenly gives out, here’s the safest move:
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Don’t try to lift the door because it’s probably too heavy without spring support.
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Stay clear of the door until it’s secured.
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Call for garage door repair service right away, especially if you can’t get your car in or out.
When Your Garage Door Spring is Broken – Call Aaron Overhead Doors
Garage door springs do the heavy lifting, but they can also be the most dangerous part of the whole system. The safest approach is to stay alert to warning signs, keep up with regular maintenance, and leave repairs to trained technicians.
If your garage door starts acting up, or worse, if a spring is already broken, don’t take chances.
Call Aaron Overhead Doors at 831-219-8648 now for same day spring repair or contact us online and we’ll protect your home, and keep your family safe.
